Sweden travel guide

Sweden Tourism | Sweden Guide

You're Going to Love Sweden

History, sleek design, and spectacular natural landscapes are the three main reasons to visit Sweden.

What to do in Sweden

1. Visit Lapland

Lapland is the place to go for outdoor enthusiasts looking for the Northern Lights.

2. Go Beyond Stockholm

In addition to visiting the capital Stockholm, explore the other two top cities in Sweden: Gothenburg and Malmö.

3. Explore the History of ABBA

For pop culture fans, a visit to the Abba museum is a must.

4. Visit the Islands

Be amazed by the Stockholm Archipelago while island hopping.

5. Discover the Swedish Royal Family

Feel like Swedish royalty when touring the Drottningholm Palace, the King and Queen's official residence.

1. Visit Lapland

Lapland is the place to go for outdoor enthusiasts looking for the Northern Lights.

2. Go Beyond Stockholm

In addition to visiting the capital Stockholm, explore the other two top cities in Sweden: Gothenburg and Malmö.

3. Explore the History of ABBA

For pop culture fans, a visit to the Abba museum is a must.

4. Visit the Islands

Be amazed by the Stockholm Archipelago while island hopping.

5. Discover the Swedish Royal Family

Feel like Swedish royalty when touring the Drottningholm Palace, the King and Queen's official residence.

When to visit Sweden

Sweden in January
Estimated hotel price
S$ 81
1 night at 3-star hotel
Sweden in January
Estimated hotel price
S$ 81
1 night at 3-star hotel

Midsummer's Eve, Sweden's most important holiday, is celebrated in June. November brings you the Stockholm International Film Festival, the Gamla Stan Christmas Market, and the best time to spot the Northern Lights.

How to Get to Sweden

Entry Requirements

Nationals from other Schengen Agreement and European Union countries don't need a visa to enter Sweden and they can travel with their valid identification card or passport.

Most nationals from other countries, including the US, can travel to Sweden visa-free if they're staying for under 90 days.

Plane

Sweden has four main airports, but the majority of international flights land at the Stockholm Arlanda airport.

Göteburg Landvetter (Gothenburg), Stockholm Skavsta, and Sturup Airport (Malmö) are mostly served by flights from other European countries. The main airlines flying to Sweden are SAS, Norwegian, Ryanair, Finnair, and easyJet.

Train

There are regular train connections to Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö in Sweden from Germany, Denmark, and Norway. Trains from Copenhagen depart every 20min and a one-way ticket costs approximately 100 SEK (10 USD).

Car

You can drive to Sweden from Denmark, Finland, and Norway. An International Driver's Permit isn't necessary.

When driving from Denmark, a toll fee will be charged on the Swedish side. The fee can be paid with debit or credit card, or online before you take the trip.

Bus

There are regular buses connecting to Gothenburg or Stockholm from Copenhagen, Tornio, Oslo, and Berlin.

Boat

There are regular daily connections by boat from Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Germany, and Norway. Ticket prices vary according to the length of travel and students and children usually get discounted fares.

Entry Requirements

Nationals from other Schengen Agreement and European Union countries don't need a visa to enter Sweden and they can travel with their valid identification card or passport.

Most nationals from other countries, including the US, can travel to Sweden visa-free if they're staying for under 90 days.

Plane

Sweden has four main airports, but the majority of international flights land at the Stockholm Arlanda airport.

Göteburg Landvetter (Gothenburg), Stockholm Skavsta, and Sturup Airport (Malmö) are mostly served by flights from other European countries. The main airlines flying to Sweden are SAS, Norwegian, Ryanair, Finnair, and easyJet.

Train

There are regular train connections to Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö in Sweden from Germany, Denmark, and Norway. Trains from Copenhagen depart every 20min and a one-way ticket costs approximately 100 SEK (10 USD).

Car

You can drive to Sweden from Denmark, Finland, and Norway. An International Driver's Permit isn't necessary.

When driving from Denmark, a toll fee will be charged on the Swedish side. The fee can be paid with debit or credit card, or online before you take the trip.

Bus

There are regular buses connecting to Gothenburg or Stockholm from Copenhagen, Tornio, Oslo, and Berlin.

Boat

There are regular daily connections by boat from Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Germany, and Norway. Ticket prices vary according to the length of travel and students and children usually get discounted fares.

Popular airlines serving Sweden

Lufthansa
Good (7,134 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,345 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,831 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (8,684 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,623 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,924 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,456 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,660 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,811 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,519 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,135 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (802 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (8,302 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,294 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (357 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,223 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (860 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,340 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,151 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,883 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Sweden

Camping is one of the most popular types of accommodation in Sweden. For budget travelers, hostels are comfortable and affordable options, open to all kinds of guests, including families and older couples.

Where to stay in popular areas of Sweden

Most booked hotels in Sweden

Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Gothenburg
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
S$ 134+
Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel, Stockholm
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
S$ 156+
Haymarket by Scandic
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
S$ 119+
Gothia Towers & Upper House
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
S$ 156+
Hotel Riverton
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
S$ 140+
Clarion Hotel Stockholm
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
S$ 116+

How to Get Around Sweden

Public Transportation

Cities and towns in Sweden are equipped with an efficient public transportation network of trains and buses. The same ticket, under the Resplus system, is valid for both means of transportation.

The city bus fare is around 20 SEK (2 USD) per person. A 24-hour card costs approximately 130 SEK (13 USD).

Trains

Traveling by train is one of the fastest and most comfortable ways to get around Sweden. Trains are operated by Sveriges Järnväg.

Travel passes like the Interrail and the Eurail are accepted on all SJ trains.

Bus

To travel around Sweden by bus, you can choose between the Express Buses (like FlixBus or Nettbus Express) and the regional networks, which are integrated with the train network.

For longer stays, you can buy a seven-day pass for around 335 SEK (35 USD), plus a fee of about 20 SEK (2 USD) for the SL Access card.

Car

Sweden has an excellent road network and you can drive around with your national driver's license. To rent a car, you must be 20 years old with a valid driver's license and a credit card issued in your name.

Plane

Braathens Regional Airlines and SAS are the two local carriers operating domestic flights in Sweden. Domestic flights are a good option for getting around Sweden if you're pressed for time, but it's not the most budget-friendly alternative.

Public Transportation

Cities and towns in Sweden are equipped with an efficient public transportation network of trains and buses. The same ticket, under the Resplus system, is valid for both means of transportation.

The city bus fare is around 20 SEK (2 USD) per person. A 24-hour card costs approximately 130 SEK (13 USD).

Trains

Traveling by train is one of the fastest and most comfortable ways to get around Sweden. Trains are operated by Sveriges Järnväg.

Travel passes like the Interrail and the Eurail are accepted on all SJ trains.

Bus

To travel around Sweden by bus, you can choose between the Express Buses (like FlixBus or Nettbus Express) and the regional networks, which are integrated with the train network.

For longer stays, you can buy a seven-day pass for around 335 SEK (35 USD), plus a fee of about 20 SEK (2 USD) for the SL Access card.

Car

Sweden has an excellent road network and you can drive around with your national driver's license. To rent a car, you must be 20 years old with a valid driver's license and a credit card issued in your name.

Plane

Braathens Regional Airlines and SAS are the two local carriers operating domestic flights in Sweden. Domestic flights are a good option for getting around Sweden if you're pressed for time, but it's not the most budget-friendly alternative.

The Cost of Living in Sweden

Sweden is gradually becoming a cashless society, so debit and credit cards are widely accepted as payment. However, because smaller retailers still prefer cash, there are plenty of ATMs available. A meal can range from approximately 100 SEK (10 USD) in an affordable restaurant to about 300 SEK (30 USD) in a more expensive one. Groceries for one week will cost around 200 SEK (20 USD).

Popular cities in Sweden